A fairly modern juke box plays an old-school country song as we make our way over to the bar.

The thirty-something bartender raises an eyebrow and shoves her brown hair over her shoulder. “IDs?”

It’s been a long time since I’d been carded to drink. It’s nice to know she’s completely oblivious as to who I am.

After she’s double-checked them, she asks, “What can I get you?”

I turn to Aubrey. “Ladies choice?”

She smiles. “Two Budweisers, please.”

The bartender nods and meanders off to get our drinks. I lean against the bar as I wait with Aubrey. She’s looking exceptionally beautiful tonight. Her long, red hair falls around her shoulders in loose waves and the green halter-top she’s wearing accentuates her fantastic rack.

She grins at me when she catches me staring at her tits. “You see something you like?”

I laugh. “I’m trying to determine if it’s your ass or your tits I like best. I’m usually a breast man, but your ass in those jeans…I literally want to bite it.”

She giggles. “I think you already did once or twice last night.”

I run my fingertips down the length of her arm. “And I can’t wait to do it again.”

Memories of last night flood me, and she’s right. I do remember giving her love bites on that tasty, little booty. My dick twitches at the thought of getting her naked again and I reposition my legs.

I’m about to say screw talking and let’s get back to fucking when the bartender hands us our beers. “That’ll be seven fifty.”

I pull out my wallet. “No tab in this place?”

The brunette shakes her head and glances down at my tattooed forearms. “Not to strangers.”

If only I can tell her I can buy this place with the swipe of my debit card, but that would make me seem like an arrogant jackass, not to mention blow my cover.

I lay down two fifty dollar bills. “This should cover us for a while.”

She picks them up and holds them up to the light as we turn and take a seat at the end of the bar. Kitten sits on one side of the corner and I on the opposite side so we can sort of face each other.

She takes a sip of her beer and stares at me expectantly. “So what do you want to know about me?”

I swallow hard. This is a totally new experience for me. The confidence I typically have falls away from me. “I, um, I don’t know. How about we start with why you decided to give me a chance.”

She picks at the label on her bottle. “I’m not really sure. It goes against everything I came down here to do.”

I lean back in my chair. Interesting. “Exactly what were your intentions when you hooked up with me?”

She hooks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m almost embarrassed to say.”

“I’ve already seen you naked. There’s no shame between us anymore, Kitten. Spill.”

She takes another sip and my stomach clenches. Whatever she’s about to say is going to suck. I can tell by all the tension in her body.

After a couple long seconds, she sighs. “You’re sort of my last hurrah.”

I scrunch my brow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“My mother has been on my case to quit going after your type.”

I raise my pierced eyebrow. “My type?”

A blush creeps over her cheeks. “Yeah, you know. The bad boy. The assholes. Guys that are notorious for breaking hearts.”

I hate the idea that there were jerks before me that couldn’t see how amazing she is. Not saying that I’d be any better, but at least I recognize something special when it’s in front of me. It makes me want to show her even more that I am worth a shot.

“So what changed your mind?” I ask.

She bites her lip and stares at me through those innocent eyes of hers. I hold my breath as I wait on her reply.

AUBREY

Zach’s quest for answers takes me by surprise. I never imagined that he would ever be interested in more—seems like I’m definitely standing out to him.

He waits patiently for me to reply. I know I can make or break a relationship we might have with what I say.

I shrug. “I can’t explain it. I feel like there’s a connection between us…”

He frowns. “But? That sentence sounds like there’s a ‘but’ coming.”

“My family is a little…uptight.”

“What does your family have to do with us?”

My eyes drift from his pierced eyebrow to the bulging muscles in his tattooed forearms.

He stiffens. “Are you saying you’re afraid of what they would think of me because of the way I look?”

I bite my lip. “It’s not just your appearance. Your career…”

He tips his bottle up finishing his beer and then signals to the bartender for another. “I know you’re too good for me. Trust me. I know this, but I think if you give me a chance. I’m great at charming moms.”

I reach over and touch his hand. “I’m not saying this to be mean. I think you’re an amazing person, but I’ve been hurt by men before. I’ve never really had a good relationship. My mom, she’s been there after each heartbreak to help pick up the pieces. She’s been telling me for years to find a nice guy—one that will love me and be there for me—to settle down with. After the last man I dated crushed me, I’ve decided she’s right. If I want to be happy I think I need to change things.”